Box-pressing clamp



(No Model.) 4

G. W. WOODPORD'.

B0X. PRBSSING CLAMP.

No. 255,069. Patented Mar.14.188z.

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mi M/M n fvw @when i UNiTngD STATES PafrnNr. @erica CHARLES W. WOODFOBD,OF ESSEX, NEW YORK.

BOX-PRESSING CLAMP.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 255,069, dated March14, 1.882. Application filed December 29, 1881. (No model.)

T o all whom it may concern: i

Be it known that I, CHARLES WELLINGTON WOODFORD, of Essex, in the countyof Essex and State ot' New York, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Box-Squeezing-Up Machines; and I doliereby declare thatthe following is a full, clear, and exact description of the same.

My invention relates to theclass of machines used for the constructionand putting together of boxes known as lock-corner77 boxes, and has forits object the forcing together ot' the sides and ends of such boxes, soas to interlock each other at the corners, by which the nailing togetherof the sides and ends is entirely dispensed with. Several means haveheretofore been employed for this purposesuch, for instance, as a systemof cams, the use of screws, Ste-but in all these devices nearly as muchtime is lost in the backward movement and adjustment ofthe acting jawsof the machine as is actually consumed in doing the work.

By my invention means are provided by which the sides and ends of thebox can be squeezed together either simultaneously orindependently, atthe will of the operator, the greatest amount of leverage or power beingsecured while acting upon the work, and a quick return ofthejaws, whichthen remain open. It may be thus described. In the top plate of a framesuitably constructed and carried are formed dovetail grooves, crossingeach other at right angles. In these dovetails are set and moverespectively xed and movable jaws, forming the four sides of thereceptacle for the box, the former or fixed jaws being ad justablysecured in position and the latter or movable jaws operated by means oftoggles pivoted to them and to fixed standards at the ends of the frameand worked by independent levers. These jaws are restored to theirnormal and open position as soon as liberated by counter balancessuitably arranged. For full comprehension, however, of the invention,reference must be had to the accompanying drawings, in which x Figure lis a perspective view of the machine, showin g the movable jaws-drawnback. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional elevation taken through thelongarm of thetrame, showing thejaws pushed forward; and Fig. 3, plan ofjaws arranged to form boxes of differing sizes.

vSimilar letters of reference indicate like parts.

Ais theframe of the machine, made as shown, with along and a short armcrossing each other at right angles, and suitably carried.

A is the top plate, in which arei'ormed dovetail grooves a a', alsocrossing each other at right angles.

B B and C C are respectively the two fixed and two movable jaws, formingthe mold or receptacle for the box, each of these being .provided with abase-plate, B2 B3 G2 C3.

b b` c c are dovetail projections on thc under side of these jaws audplates, fittingloosely in the grooves a e of the top plateb and c in thegroove a and b c inthe groove a. j

D D are standards or uprights formed at the end of the frame behind thetixed plate B, in these being formed threaded bearings for theadjusting-screws d d, which are secured in the plate B2, and serveeither to draw the jaw B back or move it forward. Similar set-screwsworking in like standards, D D', and, secured in plate B3, serve toadjust position of jaw B. Set-screws e c e c pass through slotsl in thebase-plates above mentioned and secure them in the positions desired.

F and G are standards placed where shown at the ends ofthe frame, towhich are pivoted toggles F and Gr, secured at their other ends bypivotsfand g, respectively, to the movable jaws C C. vThe point of thetoggle F is connected by a link, Hf, with a lever, H,pivotcd, as shown,to the standard F, projecting beyond the same, and carrying on its end acounterbalance-weight, 7L. f

K' is a link connecting the pointof the toggleG with the lever K,pivoted to a projection, K2, from the frame, and carrying on its end acounter-balance, 7c. v

The operation of my Iinvention will easily be understood from thedrawings andthe forego ing, and may be thus briei y alluded to. Bydepressing the inner ends of the levers H and K the jaws C and C',coming in contact with the sides of the box to be squeezed-up, are rap-IOO idly moved forward till the opposite sides of the box come incontact with the jaws B B', when a direct and strong pressure is exertedupon them, and the sides and ends, interlocking each other at thecorners, are forced into each other, the box being thus formed. So soonas these levers arelet go the counter-balances draw up the toggles F andG and cause the jaws O and C' to move rapidly backward, thus releasingthe squeezed-up box.

To enable the machine to make boxes of differing sizes, blocks, as shownat L L', Fig. 3, may be secured to the plates C C', to diminish the areaof the receptacle.

As the dovetails b b' c c are ot' somewhat less size than the grooves aa', a certain amount of play is allowed, so as to compensate for unequalthickness ofthe wood. rlhis is also asssted by the way in whichtheoperating parts are secured together and to the jaws.

The levers H K, instead of being straight, as shown in thc drawings, maybe bent to suit varying circumstances, their connection with the togglesbe made somewhat differently, and the counter-balance 7c be hung at theend of a line secured to the toggle-point, and passing over a sheaveoverhead.

What I claim is as follows:

1. In a box-squeezingup machine, themovable jaws, substantially at rightangles to each other, operated independently through toggles by separatelevers, and drawn back by counterbalance-weights, substantially asherein set forth.

2. In a box-squeezing-up machine,the movable jaws carried on dovetailsresting loosely in dovctail grooves substantially at right angles toeach other formed in the frame, conlbined with fixed abutments, as andfor the pur poses set forth.

3. In a box-squeezing-up machine having movable followers,lthe tixedplates B B', secured in position substantially at right angles to eachother by adjusting-screws attached to saine and working in bearings DD', substantially as herein described.

4. The combination,in aJ box-squeeZing-up machine, of movable jaws,arranged at right angles to each other and operated independentlythrough toggle-levers,and adjustablyfsec'ired jaws, as herein shown anddescribed.

CHARLES WrLLn'eroN WooDroRn.

Witnesses: I

JOHN HosKINs, H. EVAN WooDFoRD.

